Ethiopian President Calls for Global Climate Justice, Demands New Financial Architecture and African-Led Solutions

Addis Ababa, September 3, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie today issued a robust call for a fundamental re-evaluation of global climate action, urging the international community to recognize Africa’s pivotal role and address systemic injustices in finance and resource extraction.

Speaking at the high-level opening of Climate Week 2 in Addis Ababa, the president declared that a decade after the Paris Agreement, “the verdict is clear: we are off track.” He emphasized the urgent need to transition from “dialogue to delivery” and “from ambition to implementation,” particularly concerning engagement with the African continent.

President Taye highlighted a critical paradox: while Africa’s contribution to global climate change remains “almost negligible,” the continent bears a disproportionate share of its devastating impact.

He stressed that for Africa, effective climate action must be intrinsically linked to broader economic development, job creation, and enhanced food security. “Africa should not, therefore, face an impossible choice between development and climate action,” he asserted. The president advocated for a model where comprehensive climate-resilient development actively supports the continent’s legitimate aspirations for progress.

Furthermore, President Taye issued a stark warning against the re-emergence of “undue competition for geoeconomic interests and unlawful extraction of resources.” He argued that the global push for clean technology, heavily reliant on critical minerals abundant in Africa, must not replicate historical patterns of exploitation.

He insisted that advocacy for climate action must concurrently address these “comprehensive economic and justice issues.” In a significant announcement, the president revealed that Ethiopia, in partnership with the African Union, will host the second African Climate Summit in Addis Ababa.

He stated that this upcoming summit will champion “African grade minerals, integrated electricity market, food system transformation and the leadership of women and youths,” signaling a decisive “departure from the past” in climate leadership.

The president also detailed Ethiopia’s proactive national efforts in combating climate change, showcasing several flagship initiatives. He cited the Green Legacy Initiative, a vital national program that has resulted in the planting of 14.75 billion trees to date, with an ambitious target of reaching 54 billion by the coming year.

Pres. Taye described it as a “grassroots-based movement” actively restoring degraded landscapes, improving water cycles, and boosting food security.

He also highlighted the Climate-Smart Wheat Initiative, which has successfully transitioned Ethiopia from a net importer of wheat to a self-sufficient nation, thereby cultivating a more resilient national food system.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), nearing inauguration, was affirmed as a clear demonstration of Ethiopia’s commitment to clean energy, set to power the country and the region while addressing “energy poverty” in East Africa.

President Taye dedicated a substantial portion of his address to the critical issue of climate finance, identifying it as the “most significant obstacle” to effective climate action. He lamented the persistent lack of predictable and accessible funding, the crippling burden of unsustainable debt, and what he termed an “outdated and unfair global financial architecture.”

He urgently called for a “major rescue strategy” and expressed support for the “Baku to Brazil roadmap” to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2030. Furthermore, he stressed the critical need for simplified access to these funds, urging all actors to “remove the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder progress to climate financing.”

Concluding his speech, President Taye revealed Ethiopia’s push to host COP32 in 2027. He underscored the nation’s capacity, facilities, strategic location, and connectivity, stating, “We have the support from you. We have the capacity, the facilities, the location, the connectivity to host the much-anticipated climate summit to be held for the sixth time in Africa.”

The ongoing Climate Week 2 event, held under the theme “Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation,” serves as a precursor to the second Africa Climate Summit and aims to inform discussions at future global climate gatherings, including COP30 in Brazil.